Speedy Texas football star commits to Mizzou

Missouri landed a commitment Thursday from Timberview High running back Jalen Knox from Arlington, Texas.

Knox (6-0, 185), who was the Texas District 14-5A newcomer of the year in 2015 and All-Texas District 10-5A wide receiver in 2016, is expected to play wide receiver for the Tigers.

He’s an ESPN four-star prospect, ranked No. 43 in Texas and as the No. 30 athlete overall. Knox is a three-star prospect on 247 Sports, Rivals and Scout.

Rivals lists him as the No. 15 all-purpose back and No. 88 player in Texas.

Knox is listed as the No. 84 player in Texas and No. 43 athlete overall by 247 Sports, while Scout pegs him as the No. 18 wide receiver in Texas and No. 95 wide receiver overall in the 20108 recruiting class.

According to various recruiting outlets, he also boasts offers from Baylor, Boise State, Duke, Illinois, Iowa State, Kansas, Oregon State, Utah and Wisconsin among others.

Knox has speed to burn, running the 100-meter dash in 10.66 seconds this spring and the 200 in 21.54 with a personal-best 52.00 in the 400.

He flashed that speed combined with elusiveness as a return specialist, while lining up in the slot, outside the hash, and backfield last season for Timberview.

Knox sets up his blocks well as a running back or on jet sweeps from the slot. He even was used in the option game from the slot, but showed tremendous hands when split wide as a downfield threat.

The first hit seldom brings him down and he’s a willing blocker in space.

Knox is the third known commitment in the 2018 recruiting class and the second wide receiver — joining Jones County (Miss.) Junior College receiver Harry Ballard III and James Foster II, a quarterback from Sidney Lanier High in Montgomery, Ala.

This story was originally published June 1, 2017 at 1:42 PM with the headline "Speedy Texas football star commits to Mizzou."